Control device, control method, computer program product, and electronic device

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment, a power control device includes a storage unit, a monitor, a determining unit, and a controller. The storage device stores a look-up table, which includes relationship between needed power consumptions and start-up conditions of an electronic device including a plurality of modules. The start-up condition of the electronic device is determined from the needed power consumption in the look-up table and specifies a power on/off status of the modules in the electronic device. The monitor monitors a voltage or available power supplied by a power source when the electronic device is activated. The determining unit determines a start-up condition corresponding to needed power consumption, which corresponds to the voltage or available power monitored by the monitor, with reference to the table. The controller sets a start-up condition of the electronic device to start up the electronic device in the start-up condition determined by the determining unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 13/742,769filed on Jan. 16, 2013; the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2012-009288, filed on Jan. 19, 2012; theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a control device, acontrol method, a computer program product, and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

In the past, various techniques have been proposed to reduce the powerconsumption of an electronic device. For example, there is a techniquein which data in a main memory or a processor is saved in a nonvolatilestorage device when there is no input from the outside within apredetermined period of time, and power supply to the main memory or theprocessor is stopped so as to let an electronic device go into a sleepmode (low power mode). In the technique, when an input (for example, awakeup event signal of exiting the sleep condition such as a touchoperation of a panel or a mouse) is received from the outside in thesleep mode, the data saved in the nonvolatile storage device is returnedinto the main memory or the processor, and the electronic device isreturned to a state before the electronic device goes into the sleepconditions as to restart a process.

In the traditional technique, when exiting the sleep mode, theelectronic device goes into the same state as the state before theelectronic device goes into the sleep mode, and thus an equivalent ofpower before the electronic device goes into the sleep mode isnecessary. However, depending on states of a power source, theequivalent of the power before the electronic device goes into the sleepmode may not be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of anelectronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of a power control device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power consumption tableaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a change processaccording to the embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a condition controlaccording to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment, a power control device includes a storageunit, a monitor, a determining unit, and a controller. The storagedevice stores therein a look-up table, which includes relationshipbetween needed power consumptions and start-up conditions of anelectronic device including a plurality of modules. The start-upcondition of the electronic device is determined from the needed powerconsumption in the look-up table and specifies a power on/off status ofthe modules included in the electronic device. The monitor monitors avoltage or available power supplied by a power source when theelectronic device is activated. The determining unit determines astart-up condition corresponding to the needed power consumption, whichcorresponds to the voltage or available power monitored by the monitor,with reference to the look-up table. The controller sets a start-upcondition of the electronic device to start up the electronic device inthe start-up condition determined by the determining unit.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronicdevice 100 which is a personal computer (PC) for example. As illustratedin FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 includes a processor 10, a mainmemory 20, a nonvolatile storage 30, an input device 40, a power controldevice 60, a communication device 66, a sleep control unit 50, and apower source 70. Herein, it may be considered that the electronic device100 includes a plurality of modules which are individually controlled bypower control device 60. The module includes a module within thecomponent and a component that may individually control power. Forexample, a module in a system on chip (SoC) including the processor 10,the main memory 20, and the nonvolatile storage 30 may be the module.

The processor 10 reads data (for example, an OS or application softwareof the electronic device 100) from the main memory 20 and executes theprograms, thereby controlling the entire operation of the electronicdevice 100. The processor 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU)and registers (not illustrated). In addition, a cache memory (notillustrated), which stores a command or data that is frequent to beaccessed by the processor 10, is provided between the processor 10 andthe main memory 20. In the embodiment, the cache memory includes a firstcache storing frequently used data and a secondary cache memory storingan overflow of data from the first cache memory. That is, the cachememory of the embodiment consists of two levels. The first cache memoryis placed closer to the processor 10 in relation to the secondary cachememory.

The nonvolatile storage 30 consists of nonvolatile memories. Thenonvolatile storage 30 can hold internal data even when power supply tothe nonvolatile storage 30 is stopped.

The input device 40 is a device used for various inputs, and may beconfigured as, for example, a mouse or a keyboard.

The sleep control unit 50 changes a state of the electronic device 100to a sleep mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Herein, thepredetermined condition indicates that an input through the input device40 is not performed for a predetermined period of time. However, thepredetermined condition is not limited thereto, and may be arbitrarilyset.

In the embodiment, when an input through the input device 40 is notperformed for a predetermined period of time, the sleep control unit 50saves data stored in the main memory 20 or the register inside theprocessor 10 into the nonvolatile storage 30, and then controls thepower source 70 such that power supply to the main memory 20 or theprocessor 10 is stopped. In this way, a state of the electronic device100, which has a predetermined limited number of modules to be suppliedwith power, goes into the sleep mode. It may be considered that thesleep mode is a state in which the electronic device 100 is temporarilystopped. Here, in the embodiment, power supply to the power controldevice 60 continues even in the sleep mode. When a process of changing astate to the sleep mode is completed, the sleep control unit 50 informsthe power control device 60 that changing of a state to the sleep modeis completed. In this way, the power control device 60 monitors that astate of the electronic device 100 has gone into to the sleep mode.

The power control device 60 controls the electronic device 100 such thatan operation is performed according to a state of the power source 70.Detailed description of the power control device 60 will be made below.The function of communication device 66 is an exchange of data with anexternal device.

The power source 70 supplies power to each module included in theelectronic device 100. For example, the power source 70 includes a powergeneration module such as a solar cell, and a battery that saves powergenerated by the power generation module.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the power control device 60. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the power control device 60 includes a storage unit 61, a monitor 62, adetermining unit 63, a control unit 64, and a receiving unit 65.

The storage unit 61 stores therein a power consumption table (a look-uptable) that includes relationship between needed power consumptions andstart-up conditions of the electronic device 100. The start-up conditionof the electronic device 100 indicates a condition in which theelectronic device 100 starts up, and may include a condition in which anoperation is stopped (for example, the sleep mode). FIG. 3 is a diagramillustrating an example of the power consumption table. In FIG. 3, a“first condition” given as an example of a start-up condition indicatesa condition in which power is supplied to all modules included in theelectronic device 100 and an operating clock of the processor 10 is setto a normal value. A “second condition” indicates a condition in whichpower supply to a cache is stopped and an operating clock of theprocessor 10 is set to a smaller value than a normal value (a clock isset to a low speed). In the example of FIG. 3, needed power consumption“X” corresponding to the first condition is set to a greater value thanneeded power consumption “Y” corresponding to the second condition.Herein, needed power consumption associated with each condition has afixed value. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and neededpower consumption associated with each condition has a predeterminedrange. For example, needed power consumption corresponding to the firstcondition may be set to a value in a range of X1 (<X) to X2 (>X), andneeded power consumption corresponding to the second condition may beset to a value in a range of Y1 (<Y) to Y2 (>Y). In conclusion, neededpower consumption associated with each condition may have a fixed value,or may have a predetermined range.

Returning back to FIG. 2, description is continued. The monitor 62monitors a voltage or available power supplied by the power source 70when the electronic device 100 is activated. As it is described below,the monitor 62 monitors available power (or alternatively, a voltage)supplied by the power source 70 when a wakeup event signal of cancellingthe sleep mode is received by the receiving unit 65. Herein, it may beconsidered that a time when the electronic device 100 is activatedrefers to a point in time at which a signal causing the electronicdevice 100 to be changed to an operable state is received by thereceiving unit 65. The determining unit 63 determines a start-upcondition corresponding to power monitored by the monitor 62 (availablepower supplied by the power source 70) with reference to the powerconsumption table stored in the storage unit 61. In the example of FIG.3, when the power corresponding to the needed power consumption “X” ismonitored by the monitor 62, the first condition is determined as astart-up condition corresponding to the monitored power. In addition,for example, when the power corresponding to the needed powerconsumption “Y” is monitored by the monitor 62, the second condition isdetermined as a start-up condition corresponding to the monitored power.In addition, for example, in the power consumption table, when powercorresponding to the first condition is set to a value in the range ofX1 (<X) to X2 (>X), and the power corresponding to the power “X” ismonitored by the monitor 62, a start-up condition corresponding to themonitored power is determined to be the first condition. Similarly, inthe power consumption table, when power corresponding to the secondcondition is set to a value in the range of Y1 (<Y) to Y2 (>Y), and thepower corresponding to the power “Y” is monitored by the monitor 62, astart-up condition corresponding to the monitored power is determined tobe the second condition. In conclusion, using the power consumptiontable stored in the storage unit 61 and power monitored by the monitor62, the determining unit 63 determines a start-up condition feasiblewith the monitored power.

The control unit 64 sets a start-up condition to start up the electronicdevice 100 in the star-up condition determined by the determining unit63. For example, when the start-up condition determined by thedetermining unit 63 is the first condition, the control unit 64 controlsthe power source 70 such that power is supplied to the entire modulesincluded in the electronic device 100, and sets an operating clock ofthe processor 10 to a normal value. In addition, when the start-upcondition determined by the determining unit 63 is the second condition,the control unit 64 controls the power source 70 such that power supplyto the cache is stopped, and power is supplied to each module other thanthe cache, and sets an operating clock of the processor 10 to a smallervalue than the normal value.

Specifically, the power control device 60 (the control unit 64) commandsthe power source 70 to supply a voltage value to the processor 10 andthe main memory 20 depending on a type of condition (start-up conditionstored in the power consumption table) determined by the determiningunit 63, and commands the power source 70 to supply a voltage value tothe communication device 66 so that the communication device 66operates. Further, the power control device 60 reports an operatingclock when activating the processor 10, and an operating clock of aclock supplied to the main memory 20. Herein, depending on conditions,power that is necessary to use the communication device 66 is notenough. In this case, the power control device 60 requests the powersource 70 not to supply power to the communication device 66.

The receiving unit 65 receives a wakeup event signal of cancelling thesleep mode. In the embodiment, when a user operates the input device 40(including a touch operation), the input device 40 sends a signalcorresponding to the operation to the power control device 60. In theembodiment, the signal from the input device 40 is the wakeup eventsignal. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the wakeupevent signal may be arbitrarily set.

When a signal is received from the input device 40 in the sleep mode,the power control device 60 changes a condition of the electronic device100 from the sleep mode to a start up condition corresponding toavailable power supplied by the power source 70 at the point in time(this process is referred to as “change process”). FIG. 4 is a flowchartillustrating an example of the change process performed by the powercontrol device 60. Hereinafter, the change process will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, when a wakeup event signal (for example, aninput signal from the input device 40) is received by the receiving unit65 (Yes in step S1), the monitor 62 monitors available power (oralternatively, a voltage) supplied by the power source 70 at this pointin time (step S2). That is, the monitor 62 monitors available powersupplied by the power source 70 at a point in time when the wakeup eventsignal is received. Subsequently, the determining unit 63 determines astart-up condition corresponding to the power monitored in step S2 byusing the power monitored in step S2 and a power consumption tablestored in the storage unit 61 (step S3). In other words, the determiningunit 63 determines a start-up condition feasible with available powersupplied by the power source 70 at a point in time when the wakeup eventsignal is received. Subsequently, the control unit 64 sets a start-upcondition of the electronic device 100 to start up the electronic device100 in the start-up condition which is determined in step S3 (step S4).

Specifically, according to the determined condition, the power controldevice 60 (control unit 64) informs the power source 70 of a voltagesupplied to the processor 10 and the main memory 20, and commands anoperating clock when the processor 10 is activated, and a frequency of aclock supplied to the main memory 20. For example, in the start-upcondition determined in step S3, when power enough to performcommunication using the communication device 66 is present, the powersource 70 is commanded to supply power to the communication device 66 soas to operate the communication device 66. On the other hand, when powerthat is necessary to communicate using the communication device 66 isnot enough, the power source 70 is commanded not to supply power to thecommunication device 66. That is, in this case, when returning from thesleep mode, the electronic device 100 is activated without communicatingwith an external device.

As described in the foregoing, when a wakeup event signal is received inthe sleep mode, the power control device 60 according to the embodimentcontrols the electronic device 100 to operate in a start-up conditionfeasible with available power supplied by the power source 70 at a pointin time when the wakeup event signal is received. Accordingly, it ispossible to operate the electronic device 100 within a range ofavailable energy (power). That is, according to the embodiment, afterexiting the sleep mode, the electronic device 100 may be set to anappropriate operating state (condition).

As an modification, when the electronic device 100 is operating (or inan operable state), the power control device 60 may monitor availablepower supplied by the power source 70 at predetermined intervals, andset the start-up condition of the electronic device 100 to start up theelectronic device 100 in the start-up condition feasible with themonitored power. In this case, the control by the power control device60 is referred to as a condition control, and FIG. 5 is a flowchartillustrating an example of the condition control.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, first, the monitor 62 monitors available power(or alternatively, a voltage) supplied by the power source 70 at thispoint in time (step S10). Subsequently, the determining unit 63determines a start-up condition corresponding to the monitored power byusing the power monitored in step S10 and a power consumption tablestored in the storage unit 61 (step S11). In other words, thedetermining unit 63 determines a start-up condition feasible withavailable power supplied by the power source 70 at this point in time.Subsequently, the control unit 64 sets a start-up condition of theelectronic device 100 to start up the electronic device 100 in thestart-up condition which is determined in step S11 (step S12).

Specifically, according to the determined condition, the power controldevice 60 (control unit 64) informs the power source 70 of a voltagesupplied to the processor 10 and the main memory 20, and commands anoperating clock when the processor 10 is activated, and a frequency of aclock supplied to the main memory 20. For example, in the start-upcondition determined in step S11, when power enough to performcommunication using the communication device 66 is present, the powersource 70 is commanded to supply power to the communication device 66 soas to operate the communication device 66. On the other hand, when powerthat is necessary to communicate using the communication device 66 isnot enough, the power source 70 is commanded not to supply power to thecommunication device 66. The power control device 60 repeatedly performsthe above-described condition control at predetermined intervals.

In addition, for example, the processor 10 may perform a checkingprocess of checking a current condition of the electronic device 100 atpredetermined intervals. In this way, the processor 10 may not inquirethe power control device 60 about the current condition of theelectronic device 100. In addition, for example, the power controldevice 60 informs the processor 10 of a changed condition each time theelectronic device 100 is changed to a determined condition. In thiscase, the processor 10 may perform the above-described checking process.

The above-described power control device 60 has a central processingunit (CPU), a ROM, a RAM, and a communication I/F device. A function ofeach of the above-described units (the monitor 62, the determining unit63, the control unit 64, and the receiving unit 65) is implemented by aprogram, which is stored in a ROM. In addition, the invention is notlimited thereto, and at least some of the functions of the respectiveunits (the monitor 62, the determining unit 63, the control unit 64, andthe receiving unit 65) may be implemented by a separate circuit(hardware).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the power control device 60and the processor 10 are constructed on separate chips. However, theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the above-describedembodiment is implemented by using a system on chip (SoC) which includesthe power control device 60 and the processor 10.

In addition, a program executed by the above-described power controldevice 60 may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as theInternet, and be provided by downloading the program via the network. Inaddition, a program executed by the above-described power control device60 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Inaddition, a program executed by the power control device 60 according tothe embodiments and modifications may be incorporated into a ROM inadvance, and be provided.

The above-described embodiment may be applied, for example, when anavailable power of a battery is decreasing due to a self-discharge, orwhen an equivalent of power before the state change to the sleep modemay not be generated since a solar cell is being used. In particular,since a power generation of the solar cell varies in response to anexternal environment, it may be more likely to fail to obtain anequivalent of an available power before the state goes into the sleepmode. The above-described embodiment is effective in such a case.

In addition, for example, in a case where an available power (availablepower supplied by the power source 70) which is present at a point intime when an electronic device is to be returned from the sleep mode isless than power before the electronic device goes into the sleep mode,and the available power is exhausted when a returning process ofreturning the electronic device 100 from the sleep mode is ended or whenthe returning process is being performed, the electronic device 100 maybe in an inoperative state. The above-described embodiment is alsoeffective in such a case.

Further, a type or the number of conditions stored in the powerconsumption table may be arbitrarily set. For example, the sleep modeand the power may be associated with each other in the power consumptiontable. In this configuration, when the power monitored by the monitor 62indicates a sufficiently small value in step S2 of FIG. 4, and the sleepmode is determined in step S3 of FIG. 4 as a condition associated withthe power monitored in step S2, the electronic device 100 returns to thesleep mode again (step S4 of FIG. 4).

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power controller in an electronic device,comprising: a monitor that monitors a voltage or available powersupplied by a power source when the electronic device is activated; adetermining unit configured to determine a start-up conditioncorresponding to needed power consumption, which corresponds to thevoltage or the available power monitored by the monitor; a controllerthat sets start-up condition of the electronic device to start up theelectronic device in the start-up condition determined by thedetermining unit; a receiving unit configured to receive a wakeup eventsignal of exiting a sleep mode in which the number of modules that isincluded in the electronic device and that is supplied with power islimited to a predetermined number and an operation of the electronicdevice is stopped, wherein when the receiving unit receives the wakeupevent signal, the determining unit determines a condition correspondingto the power monitored by the monitor, and the controller sets astart-up condition of the electronic device to start up the electronicdevice in the condition determined by the determining unit.